Lithium ion conducting NASICON-type electrolytes of general formula Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) are fabricated by a citric acid-supported sol-gel process and analyzed for thermal stability, microstructure, crystalline phases. From these structural analyses, the relationship of microstructural changes and electrochemical properties is investigated. It is demonstrated that the sol-gel method enable to obtain pure LATP crystals at a lower temperature in a shorter synthesis time compared to conventional solid state reaction or glass-ceramics processes. The dense electrolyte pellets are prepared from the LATP nanopowders by sintering at 900 oC for 3 hours, and a room temperature conductivity of 7.8 × 10-5S/cm and activation energy of 38.2 KJ/mol was obtained.

Keywords: NASICON-type electrolytes, Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP), sol-gel process